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Latest SPA MY16-MY2* Sensus Road Map and Voice Control Update Info

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#1 · (Edited)
Roadmap Updates for convenient listing of Roadmaps, Voice Control, and Gracenote for Sensus (e.g., MY16-MY2* SPA series and SPA vehicles legacy Sensus).

Roadmap Updates and Instructions
1456 (Europe, North America, et al *)

Published
29 February 2024

Next Planned update:
04 Apr 2024


*Check your region's website for: Africa and Middle East, India, Israel, Pacific, South America, South East Asia, Taiwan, and Turkey

Roadmap Download Support Pages
US: Download the Latest Maps (NA-907_1456, 38.33 GB, MacOS)​
Note: Volvo Cars US recommends use of the US download site (not U.K.) for US models​

HERE Map Errors: Register on HERE's Map Creator to report and fix map errors.

Voice control: 32141802AA
US: Download the Latest Voice Control files, posted November 2021
UK: Support | Volvo Cars | Volvo Support, posted 01 Dec. 2020

Voice control commands: Voice Commands Updated: 25 Nov. 2021 US English
Gracenote: 31667039AA released May 2017 (base).
US: Gracenote
UK: Support | Volvo Cars | Volvo Support

Navigation Services (explains things like Navigation, Glympse, Local Search, Find Fuel)
US: Apps Available for your Volvo Equipped with Sensus Navigation
UK: Support | Volvo Cars | Volvo Support

* Road map versions and dates may vary by map region. Road maps are generally updated monthly. Instructions for checking your version can be found on your Volvo region's Owner/Roadmap pages.

** Per TJ 32185.1.1, voice control was promoted to be updated semi-annually (e.g., May and November). Practically, it is being updated once per year at most.

Sensus Road Map Update Strategies
1. Update your entire region (or desired subregions) a few days before you leave home.
2. Don't assume that you will always have a cellular connection. Even if you use maps on your mobile phone, you may still lose cellular connection regardless of location and carrier.
3. Have the latest base maps loaded on Sensus before you go so that you are not dependent on a cellular connection.

Over-the-Air (OTA) v. USB
OTA roadmap updates are available if you have adequate internet connectivity.
  • You must set your home region for OTA.
  • Turn on Auto Update so that your Home Region is always current, unless you routinely update base maps via USB.
Notice: You may receive notices in Sensus that a newer version of software (e.g., Apps or Roadmap) are available based on every installed subregion. Updating base maps via USB totally eliminates all of those subregion messages.

Road map downloads are packaged as subregions so that they are smaller and faster to download and install.

Update Methods
1. Over-the-Air (OTA) Update of your Home Region is the minimum and is sufficient for most. (It also minimizes the persistent "updates available" messages.)
- For MY17 and newer models, you have built-in 4G LTE VOC and Vehicle modems.
* 4G LTE is sufficient if you have good cellular connection and unlimited data.
* Otherwise, use your home WiFi (or a cellular 4G LTE or 5G cellular hotspot) and connect your car to your local WiFi or Hotspot. This can be the cheapest and fastest if available for your home region. OTA for multiple regions can work as long as you have the time available and do not install many large subregions.
- For MY16s and earlier, your vehicle will likely have 3G VOC and Vehicle modems which are no longer supported by cellular carriers or Volvo. A 4G LTE upgrade is available [now], subject to availability. Consider contacting Volvo Customer Care for a discount for the cost of the upgrade which can be as much as 30% off the parts (but not labor or tax). The cost of parts and labor can range from ~$900 to ~$1500 depending on your region and shop rates.

2. USB Update is the fastest method to update an entire base Region (e.g., NA) even though it may require ~35 minutes once downloaded to a USB memory stick from your computer.
* There is no dependency on cellular or WiFi connections with the USB memory stick.
* Best practice is to only have the white-bordered USB port plugged in with the memory stick. Unplug any other device or cable that might be plugged into the second USB port in the console (assuming that you have dual ports).

Supplemental SwedeSpeedsters' Instructions
See detailed instructions at Post #36 on top of page 2. Big thanks to SDspeed.

Notes
0. Disregard the reported version on VolvoCars US website as the data pulls from the global Volvo servers. The US webpage info tends to lags, and the link connects directly to the global Volvo server.
1. Road map updates occur ~ monthly in most markets. Voice control is ~ once per year.
2. Full Road map updates for a region (e.g., all of NA) can take up to 2.5 hours to download (e.g., full NA, 37 GB) from your computer to the USB drive. The install from USB to the vehicle takes about 35 min.
- The download app displays a progress percent complete. The elapsed time may vary depending the Class of the USB drive - Class 10 being recommended.
- Voice update has an installation in progress but no progress percent complete.
- Notifications and status can be pulled down from top menu.
3. OTA road map updates are available in selected markets. OTA updates are most practical for your home region since the file size is smaller. However, if you wish to update multiple regions, it may be best to use the USB method rather than OTA. If you plan to update the entire map base (e.g., North America or Europe), the recommendation is to use the USB Update using at least a ~64 GB thumb drive in an ExFAT format. BE sure to turn off "Automatic Update" if you plan to use USB method as the OTA seems to conflicts with and overrides USB Update process - leading to "pauses" in the update process.
4. If you use a Mac, search for the file starting with "Sensus" in the Download folder to launch the App that downloads the Maps to a USB drive (recommended). A Windows PC will prompt you to run the Program which you want to do while the Mac just downloads the App - requiring you to initiate the download of the maps.
5. A fast, empty 64 GB USB drive (or larger) is recommended to be formatted as exFAT (or FAT32 w/ third party apps). SDspeed reported that NTSF will also work. For models with dual USB ports, use the USB port that is enclosed by a white border.
6. Installation in the car can be done "on the go", at home, et al.
A. At home, you must babysit the car when USB and occasionally touch the screen or home button so Sensus stays awake for about 35 min. at 6-7 min. intervals. Do not remove the USB drive until the install is 100% done - lest you may have a dealer visit in your near future. You may wish to connect a Battery Tender or Maintainer to maintain your battery charge level while the installation occurs for ~30 min. Do not start your ICE in the enclosed garage. A battery tender is safer.
B. On the go, leave the USB drive plugged in until the installation is complete even if your trips are shorter than the 35 minutes needed. Sensus will resume the install where it left off. Your Sensus Navigation will not be available while updating Road maps. At least on MY16s, navigation may not be available until after you have stopped, shut off your car, locked your car for a couple of minutes - allowing Sensus to effectively re-boot.
C. Voice control installation must be performed separately from road maps.
D. Once the installation(s) are complete, you must turn off the car and preferably lock it to re-set Sensus.
8. For MacBook users, The download app now supports 64-bit applications. Reformat a USB drive on your Mac rather than use a PC formatted drive as a precaution.
9. Dealers generally will not update roadmaps and apps unless you specifically request it. Also, a dealer may charge for labor.
10. If you encounter an error with the OTA update, there are two options.(A) Shut the car off, lock it and let it recycle for several minutes and try again; or (B) Download to a clean USB drive, verify its contents, and install via USB port. Try a different USB memory stick and/or reformat the memory stick.
11. You may update one or more smaller regions (e.g., UK) even though you may have originally installed the full region. The other, older maps for the larger market (e.g., Europe, North America) will be retained until the entire base map is updated in its entirety.
12. Be sure to download the SPA version which should have SPA in the name of the download site or file. For USA, go to Volvo Customer Help US.
14. Install any and all pending Volvo and third app updates first before installing road map updates as they tend to interrupt the road map update process.. Close the app before the update (e.g., Pandora); otherwise, the installation may hang up.Likewise, if a subregion map is already updating, let that subregion update finish before attempting to use the USB method to update the entire base map.
15. If your installation seems to stop, pause, or shows no progress, be patient. Some updates can take longer and it appears that pending Volvo and third party apps may have, or take, priority over map updates.
16. If all else fails, try to re-install Voice Control, and then re-install maps. Sidwin and a Volvo dealer in DEN did this with help from Volvo Tech Support. However, if your vehicle has the latest voice control software this option may not work since the installer detects an older version on the USB than what is installed in the car. This workaround does not always work if you have the latest version of Voice Control.
17. If OTA is installing your Home Region, let it finish first. If you try to install from the USB while your vehicle is installing your Home Region OTA, the OTA will pause and create an issue - leaving you without navigation until the vehicle resolves it. If the full USB does not install, you may end up with a partial install and no navigation which takes you to Step 16 and likely the dealer.
18. Please don't complain about the frequency of road map updates. Turn-by-turn directions and other enhancements are typically included. More frequent and free updates are better than infrequent updates at a cost. (e.g., Toyota and other brands).
 
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#45 ·
I added a Note to the sticky on Post #1 as a reminder that, from my experience, dealers do not update roadmaps as a matter of routine. You need to request it to be checked and updated if a newer version is available. I would guess that most of us on SS perform our own updates.

With more and more owners coming on board, I thought I would share this in case you did not know.

The same may be true for voice control, but no update has been available since January 2017. An update to voice control may come with the "imminent" Sensus update.
 
#48 ·
Received a phone call today from VCNA. VCNA's official recommendation is that cars manufactured for US market obtain the latest Roadmap Updates from the US website - not the U.K. Website. Reportedly, the US Roadmap update will be out in a ~ couple of weeks.

I updated Post #1 with a warning/notice.

For US owners: If you installed NA roadmaps from the U.K. Website and are having trouble with Sensus Navigation, you might want to revert back to 1176. Otherwise, when the US website is updated, you might want to re-apply the US update. There could be more info forthcoming. Personally, I am having no issues with 1182 NA update in MY2016.

@Yannis, if or when you see this post, could you share your insights?
 
This post has been deleted
#52 ·
Personally speaking (and possibly for others), I have successfully downloaded (from the U.K. website), installed and used the Roadmap updates and voice controls for North America a few times without any known or perceived Sensus issues of any kind. These Roadmap and voice control updates seem to have been and maybe still are ubiquitous.

With that said and with the impending major update to Sensus, I felt it was in everyone's best interest to post the recommendation from VCNA about using the US website for US-destined cars. It's your call.....
 
#54 ·
Some reported week 21. (Next week is 18.)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
#58 ·
Does having an Andorid Auto title/button suggest I have the Nov 2016 update?

7. Per. Volvo, verify that your build (before Nov. 14, 2016) has at least the November 2016 total software update before installing the newer road maps and voice commands. If you do did not and do not experience any issues, you may be fine.
We just picked up our new XC90 T6 R-Design over the weekend. I was going to do the update on the voice controls and maps last night, but I read the above line and wasn't 100% sure if I had the November 2016 software update or not. I should have confirmed this when we picked it up, but we were in a bit of a rush and it slipped my mind.

After reading through some threads last night, it seems it's not possible to lookup/confirm the version yourself (without the dealer). However, looking at the list of new features in the update (specifically the addition of Android Auto), I was wondering if that would be enough to confirm I have the November 2016 update. I have an Android Auto app button on my display, albeit grayed out (I assume that's because I don't have an Android phone hooked up to it).

So my question is, does the presence of the Android Auto button on my display suggest I have the November 2016 update and that I'm "safe" to go ahead and update the voice controls and maps?

Thanks!
 
#61 ·
We just picked up our new XC90 T6 R-Design over the weekend. I was going to do the update on the voice controls and maps last night, but I read the above line and wasn't 100% sure if I had the November 2016 software update or not. I should have confirmed this when we picked it up, but we were in a bit of a rush and it slipped my mind.

After reading through some threads last night, it seems it's not possible to lookup/confirm the version yourself (without the dealer). However, looking at the list of new features in the update (specifically the addition of Android Auto), I was wondering if that would be enough to confirm I have the November 2016 update. I have an Android Auto app button on my display, albeit grayed out (I assume that's because I don't have an Android phone hooked up to it).

So my question is, does the presence of the Android Auto button on my display suggest I have the November 2016 update and that I'm "safe" to go ahead and update the voice controls and maps?

Thanks!
The presence of the Android Auto icon does indeed confirm that you have the November update as I understand it. You are correct that it is greyed out because an Android phone is not plugged in.

If you have any concern that your new vehicle is not up to date, you may want to call you dealer to ensure that they did perform the latest updates. While dealers are supposed to perform software updates upon delivery of a new vehicle, there have been instances where they did not. There was an unfortunate aspect of the November 2016 update that caused a battery drain problem on some vehicles and if your vehicle was not updated with the fix that came out a couple months later, you could run into this problem. Hopefully there will be a log of what service was performed to your vehicle that your dealer can just check without needing you to bring in your vehicle to get hooked up.
 
#60 ·
Thanks for the reply.

I was able to find my current map version last night (1160).

What I wasn't able to determine (directly) was whether or not I have the November 2016 Sensus update itself. I was hoping the presence of the Android Auto icon would confirm that I do have the November 2016 Sensus update already installed.
 
#64 · (Edited)
FYI: VCNA has updated the US site with Roadmaps 1182 earlier today. The Voice Control version on the US site remains the same from January 2017. An Voice Control update should be following soon - yet this month if is May.;) It could also be included with the imminent update to Sensus reportedly coming out later this month.
 
#65 ·
I just purchased a Savile Grey, build date 3/17 T6 Momentum. I have read about the random Sensus reboot issues since I have experienced them as well. When I purchased the car I know for a fact that they didn't have time to update any software or other updates needed since I drove it off the lot a short time later. My question from reading this thread is that the May Sensus update will ALSO include Android auto as well? I am enjoying the vehicle right now after coming from an QX60, and a 2013 Pathfinder.

Thank you.
 
#66 · (Edited)
I would have thought that a build date of March 2017 should already have Android Auto. It became available in November 2016.

EDIT: There are some MY17 vehicles that cannot get Android Auto as it is not available for vehicles with only one USB port including all MY16. If you didn't get a package that included the two-port USB hub, you can't get Android Auto. I've not read or heard of this changing as part of the big update coming later this month. Have you heard otherwise? /EDIT

The upcoming Sensus update will have significant changes to the way Sensus apps work. They look to have gotten rid of some of the smaller UI elements in favor of controls that have larger tap targets although some will now be placed a level deeper in a menu than they currently are located. Ultimately, this may make them faster and easier to use since you won't have to be as accurate when tapping the screen.
 
#71 ·
#73 · (Edited)
Performed latest Total Software Upgrade for my MY 3/2017. There's also a self check during startup that shows up on the 12" display. Layout is much nicer including the navi sub menus. Everything works fine, but I do find the map navigation a little quirky when I zoom, pan, or search for POI with touch.
Also, the update broke the web apps. I cannot update nor download the apps. I have to take the car in again so they can either reset the battery or reload the software again. Not sure what they will do. I tried using the cars sim modem and then tried my cellphone hot-spot, and none fixed the issues. My hunch is that the update may have corrupted the app ecosystem. Cannot install Yelp, Weather, Pandora etc..etc..







 
#75 ·
Is that a Volvo related server issue? Because I used both the vehicle modem and I my personal hot-spot and both had internet connection. The apps wont update nor download.

Thank you.
 
#79 ·
Picked the XC today. They reloaded the software, reinstalled the new certificate for the modem that connects to Volvos servers and now all the apps work!
Very pleased with the dealership handling the issues.


Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
 
#83 ·
Road map update 1183 available for NA at VolvoCars.com/us. Similarly, UK site has 1183 update available for Europe, NA and Pacific. All other regions have not had an update as yet.

Since the last voice control was released in January 2017, a new release is expected in the July or August time frame based on the statement that Voice Control updates will be released about every six months.
 
#84 ·
I am receiving my first over-the-air map update. A couple of regions have been installed and the rest are scheduled. It seems it may take 1-2 weeks for all regions to install based on my daily commute time. I haven't checked the version yet, but assume it's 1183 as I had loaded the previous version via USB a few weeks ago.
 
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